NJ cops sue departments more often than civilians

Analysis of litigation between 2009 and 2012 found that 148 settlements between NJ officers against their departments cost taxpayers $29M

By Chris Glorioso
NBC 10

CAMDEN, N.J. — An analysis of litigation between 2009 and 2012 found that 148 settlements between New Jersey police officers against their departments cost taxpayers $29 million. That is 45 percent more than the $20 million paid in settlements and legal fees associated with 117 lawsuits filed by civilians.

“It has become such a ping-pong of litigation," said Antonio Hernandez, the president of the National Coalition of Latino Officers. "I’ve seen lieutenants suing lieutenants, captains suing captains. Chiefs being sued by everyone.”

Hernandez said the problem is that New Jersey police departments often have politically appointed chiefs who sometimes play favorites — and sometimes have bitter feuds with cops they dislike.